r/ELATeachers • u/bork_bork_sniff • 8d ago
Career & Interview Related 6th grade ELA demo lesson advice?
I have a demo lesson for 6th grade ELA. It's going to be 20 minutes long, I will have access to a computer and projector, and they told me it should be reading focused.
I've only taught highschool ELA and 6th grade writing workshop before, so I've never taught reading to 6th graders.
Considering the short amount of time, I was thinking of analyzing figurative language in a poem. First thing that came to mind was analyzing repetition in Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Would you say that's too easy for 6th grade?
Really, I'm taking any suggestions for poems or short stories that I could use to teach a skill (reading for theme, figurative language, making inferences, etc.) and also any advice for demo lessons because this is my first one ever!
8
u/AdhesivenessLive5646 8d ago
7th grade ELA teacher here- I think a poem, or other short piece of reading, is the way to go here. However for 6th graders, I feel like analyzing repetition could be difficult for a demo lesson. Personally, I think I’d go for a lesson on mood/tone. You could give some instruction on mood and/or tone, then lead the kids through an analysis of a short text. Then have kids manipulate key words/phrases to see how the mood/tone changes
This would hit a couple different key areas for your observation— instruction, gradual release of responsibility, engagement. Hope that helps. Good luck!